Friday, 25 February 2011

Arsene Wenger has confirmed his intention not to play Cesc Fabregas in Sunday's Carling Cup final but says the Arsenal captain should be fit to face Barcelona.

The Arsenal manager told his lunchtime press conference Fabregas would miss just one or two games with the hamstring injury he picked up against Stoke City on Wednesday night.

Fabregas, who was substituted after only 14 minutes of the game, is desperate to lead out the team and play in Sunday's show piece event.

Wenger said:

"Cesc is sad and disappointed but it is a very small injury. He will be out for one or two games."

Arsenal travel to Spain to take on Barca on March 8. Fabregas is set to miss Wednesday's FA Cup sixth round replay with Leyton Orient and the visit to the Grove of Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday March 5.